Katherine Jackson

He is the seventh of nine children.1966: His father, Joseph Jackson, a steel mill worker and guitar player, organizes the Jackson 5.

The group comprises Michael and brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon.1969: The Jackson 5 signs with Motown and scores its first hit a year later with "I Want You Back."1972: Michael Jackson
releases his first solo album after recording 14 albums with the group.

His first hit is "Ben," a song about a rat from the cult film "Willard."1976: The band leaves Motown for Epic Records, changes its name to The Jacksons.1978: Jackson makes his film debut as the
Scarecrow in "The Wiz."1979: Releases "Off The Wall." Produced by Quincy Jones, the album heralds his arrival as an adult star.1982: "Thriller" is released.1983: Jackson debuts his signature
"moonwalk" during a Motown television special.1984: He reunites with his brothers in the Jacksons.

Hair catches fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.

Co-writes the charity anthem "We Are the World."1986: Stars in the 3-D Disney park film "Captain EO," directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas.1987: Releases "Bad." Also attempts
to buy the bones of the so-called Elephant Man, John Merrick.1988: Jackson puts out his autobiography, "Moonwalk." Has surgery to add cleft to chin.

Moves into Neverland Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley (Santa Barbara County).1991: "Dangerous" released on a new recording contract with Sony.

The album sells 7 million copies.1992: Named "highest paid entertainer" by the Guinness Book of World Records.1993: He appears on "Oprah," claiming he suffers from vitiligo, a condition that makes
his skin lighter.

A lawsuit claims he molested a 13-year-old boy at Neverland, but the victim refuses to testify so no criminal charges are filed.

Jackson cancels his world tour and announces he is addicted to painkillers.1994: The molestation lawsuit is settled out of court.

The singer marries nurse Debbie Rowe, who is already pregnant.1997: Rowe gives birth to a boy, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., also known as Paris Michael I.

The Jackson 5 are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.1998: Rowe gives birth to a girl, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson.1999: Rowe and Jackson are divorced.2001: Jackson releases
"Invincible," which sells 2.1 million copies.

He is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.2002: Accusing Sony Chairman Tommy Mottola of racism, Jackson tries to leave the label.

His third child, Prince Michael Jackson II, a.k.a.

"Blanket," is born to a surrogate mother.

Jackson later dangles him from a fourth-floor Berlin hotel balcony.2003: Jackson admits having sleepovers with young boys on the television documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." He is arrested
on child molestation charges by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, facing 20 years in prison.2004: Jackson pleads not guilty on the molestation charges.2005: Acquitted of all charges,
Jackson moves to Bahrain.2008: Promoters announce plans for 50 Jackson concerts at London's O2 Arena, which sell out instantly.2009: Jackson dies on June 25.-Aidin Vaziri Chronicle wire services
contributed to this report.